Room with a view: Kashmir

Room 2017 at The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg

The view you see here is of dense pine trees and the striking Mount Afarwat, home to some of India’s best ski slopes. The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg is within walking distance of the Gulmarg gondolas, or ski lifts, and has signposted trails to lead you back down to the property from the mountaintop. What makes the opening of the Khyber even more exciting is that it is the first hotel in Jammu & Kashmir to be built completely from scratch in the last 20 years. All 85 rooms come with central heating, LCD TVs and Internet connectivity—a boon in a region where cell phone coverage is notoriously fickle—but it’s room 2017 that offers the best views. The Khyber’s three restaurants serve a mix of Kashmiri, North Indian, Continental and Mediterranean cuisines. The hotel provides guests with airport transfers (it is 60km from Srinagar airport) and, depending on the season, its Activity Concierge can help you with everything from picking a suitable hiking trail or a heli-skiing trip with a local guide to booking a clued-in caddie for a golf session.